UCBL Game Update - UM v UKM

UM played an average/ so-so game yesterday at UCBL vs. UKM. We won the game but only narrowly (66-64) and against a much depleted UKM team (without their star Sarawak #11 player and without their volleyball player / rebounder #15. Their big center played and I think they had a total of 7 players (compared to us having 11 players).

Click "Read more" for my report and thoughts on the game and our team's current level of play.


Before the game, I was thinking about the generally low team spirit in the last game (compared to the "free and easy" relaxed attitude during Sultan Cup and the "high intensity, spirited" play during MASUM). I realized that this could be due to our players (unrealistically) expecting themselves and their team mates to perform at the same level they had just finished performing at, in MASUM.

During stretching warm-ups, I therefore spoke to team and explained:-

1. Our "MASUM level of play" was after 3 weeks' intensive, centralized training;
2. After MASUM we have not practiced and many players have not even played until UCBL. Our level of play now therefore cannot possibly and will not match or even be close to our MASUM level of play;
3. We need to accept our current, lower, level of play and focus on our MASUM level of play as being the level we want to and eventually get back to. "MASUM level of play" should therefore be the target ahead of us towards which we have to slowly work our way back towards;
4. We will not get back to our MASUM level of play in just one game of effort or even several games but what is important is that we are focused on where our target is and we make sure that each game is a step (or hopefully several steps) towards that goal.

With this in mind, I think our players played with better focus on performing to the best of our ability now whilst working to improve that level gradually.

That said, our current level of play really is quite low, especially our shooting. Our team shot a really low percentage, from the floor and from the free throw line. Jinn Wen for example shot many 3-point shots but made only 1 and Ching missed many free throws. Meantime, UKM's #3 (PG) and #7 (SG) were playing very well, hitting MANY 3-point shots. Our defense and fast breaks (many) gave us the lead for most of the game but with us missing many shots and missing free throws and UKM repeatedly hitting 3 pointers, we were never able to really pull away.

Nonetheless, we have to believe in the system we have implemented and unless we decide to implement a different system and until we have implemented a different system, we will have to continue to push our players to play the system we have implemented and to believe in it. Otherwise, it will be a case of neither here nor there (like the Chinese proverb, "neither end of the boat gets to shore"). And so I pushed our boys to continue to play aggressive 21 defense, box-out, push-back, pitch ahead, shoot and rebound.

I liked Jack's dribble penetrations into the teeth of the opponent's defense, getting lay-ups in traffic, drawing fouls and putting pressure on the defense. After a reminder from me, Ching also looked for opportunity to drive (instead of just settling for outside shot) and drew fouls too (though unfortunately, often missing at least one of the resulting free throws). Raymond played well, playing aggressively and getting a lot of offensive rebound. I also liked Amirul's increased offensive mindedness and he took and hit several big 3 point shots for us.

Our 32 during the 3rd quarter allowed us to pull ahead to a 10 or 12 point lead. But when they finally adjusted to our press in the 4th quarter, our inability to score and UKM's occasional 3 pointer allowed them to creep back into the game. With about a minute left, we only had a 2 point lead. We failed to score on our last 3 offensive possessions, with 2 missed shots and 1 turnover. UKM also got many 3 point shot attempts in that last minute, missing, getting the offensive rebound and shooting again and again. From memory (I haven't reviewed the video yet), they took at least 3 3-point shot attempts in the last 30 seconds of game play. Fortunately for us, they missed and we held on to win.

My "team" observations are:

1. Our shooting percentage is really low. Offensive rebounding is therefore critical to our chances of success. At our current level of play, players on weak-side frequently forget to go in for rebound. When I shouted and reminded them and they went in for the rebound, more often than not we got the offensive rebound.

2. 1-on-1 off ball defense is not good. Players are "bumping" (which is good) but not bumping "smart". They bump (which is good) but fail to avoid screens or end up outright "loosing" their man, giving up lay-ups or high percentage.

3. Our on-ball screen defense is not sharp. Sometimes failing to step out properly, sometimes stepping out too early leaving the screener un-guarded.

4. We still have too many turnovers. Surprisingly most of these are not during fast breaks or when we are pushing up-tempo. Most of these turnovers occur during slowed down, half-court, "hook and look" offense.

Today, we have another game against Nilai uc, at 5pm. I know the early start time will make it difficult for our usual supporters to come support us, but if you can, do come and support us.

Cheers.